PracticeQuestionsYears 1–7
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Classification systems

Year 6 · Upper Key Stage 2 · Y6 LT — Classify living things based on characteristics

Draft — awaiting teacher review

Builds on: Living things and habitats (Year 2)

I

Concept Anchor

Scientists group living things by shared characteristics. Vertebrates have a backbone and are split into five classes: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Worked example

Classify a frog.

  1. 1.Backbone? Yes — vertebrate.
  2. 2.Moist skin, lives on land and in water, lays eggs in water.
  3. 3.These features match amphibians.
  4. 4.A frog is an amphibian.
II

Guided Check

A whale breathes air and feeds its young milk. Which class is it?

    III

    Independent Diagnostic Practice

    Q1Year 6Y6 LT — Vertebrate classes·Fluency·●○○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    Which animal is a reptile?

    Q2Year 6Y6 LT — Classification keys·Reasoning·●●○Draft — awaiting teacher review

    A good question for a classification key is one that…

    Q3Year 6Y6 LT — Characteristics·Problem Solving·●●●Draft — awaiting teacher review

    A penguin cannot fly. Why is it still classified as a bird?